Building Girls’ Leadership Into Every Decision Space
As Regional Director for Girl Up EMEA, Musonda Chikwanda leads with purpose, empathy, and a deep belief in the limitless potential of girls across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. From classrooms in Malawi to advocacy stages in East Africa, she has witnessed firsthand how Girl Up leaders are turning resilience into action — and action into lasting change.
Africa’s girls are not waiting to be invited into leadership — they are already leading, and the world is beginning to see it.
Read Musonda’s reflections on her proudest moments, the challenges girls face across the region, and her bold vision for the unstoppable future of Girl Up in Africa.
What’s your proudest Girl Up moment?
My proudest moment has been witnessing girls I have mentored step into leadership as fearless advocates in their own communities. I still remember one girl who started out shy in Malawi but went on to lead her first advocacy campaign, mobilizing peers around girls’ education. Seeing her confidence grow reminded me that my work is not only about programs, but about creating spaces where young women discover their voice and power. These are the moments that fuel my purpose as a leader.
What’s one challenge in your region the world should know about?
Across Africa, crises like conflict, political instability, and economic uncertainty often threaten to silence girls. Yet what inspires me deeply is their resilience. In my work with Girl Up, I see girls transform pain into power, speaking out even in the hardest circumstances.
One powerful example is when girls from conflict-affected regions in East Africa shared their stories at a regional forum, turning global attention to the realities girls face in crisis. Their courage shows me every day that the greatest untapped resource on our continent is the leadership of adolescent girls.
The future of girl up in my region is…
The future of Girl Up in Africa is unstoppable. It is a movement led by bold, visionary girls who are not only shaping solutions to local challenges but also influencing global conversations on gender equality, climate justice, and peacebuilding. My hope and mission is to ensure that every Girl Up leader in Africa has the tools, networks, and visibility to thrive. Africa’s girls are not waiting to be invited into leadership — they are already leading, and the world is beginning to see it.
About Musonda Chikwanda
Regional Director, Girl Up EMEA
Based in Lusaka, Zambia, Musonda leads Girl Up’s work across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, supporting youth-led advocacy for gender equality, peacebuilding, and climate justice. With over a decade of experience in gender and youth empowerment, she is passionate about amplifying girls’ voices in regional and global decision-making spaces.
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